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Henick-Lane

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Data is more important today than ever, and the servers it lives on are the backbone of modern life. In order to safeguard your vital information, there are many measures you should have in play, with one of the most important being ambient temperature.

Servers generate a lot of heat and keeping them from overheating is essential. For example, consider the 16-hour Hotmail outage back in 2013, which was caused by a spike in temperature in the server room.

What Is the Maximum Temperature for a Server Room?

The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is the organization that dictates standards for the industry, including acceptable temperature ranges. ASHRAE standards state that a data center should maintain a temperature of 64.4° to 80.6° Fahrenheit (18°C-27°C), with an associated relative humidity of 20-80 percent.

That said, those numbers represent the two extremes, and the middle ground is the safest for server rooms. Many IT professionals prefer to keep things a bit cooler out of an abundance of caution – usually in the 65 to 75-degree F range.

Do Server Rooms Need Air Conditioning?

HVAC design for server room cooling is a constant challenge due to the heat generated by the servers. Fluctuations in temperature can cause wear and tear, and even damage, to server components. Therefore, air conditioning is an indispensable feature of server rooms and data centers.

What Type of AC Is Used in a Server Room?

The answer depends on the room in question. Determining the room’s airflow patterns is an important first step. That allows you to find hotspots or other concerns that need to be addressed.

The most efficient server room HVAC design usually involves not only a reduction in temperature, but also maximizing airflow across the server racks, cooling them, and moving the heat away from sensitive equipment. Humidity levels must also be monitored and controlled to keep them within the 20-80 percent ASHRAE standards.

Newer technologies, like the server rack air conditioner and advanced water-cooled systems, are moving at a breakneck pace as they try to keep up with the ever-expanding needs of server farms and data centers.

Contact Henick-Lane for All Your Commercial HVAC Needs

For more than 50 years, Henick-Lane has provided cost-effective, cutting-edge HVAC solutions across commercial HVAC needs, including data and hyper-scale data centers. We will work with you to develop a bespoke solution specifically tailored to you and your building’s needs, whether that calls for maintenance, service, upgrades, or a full fit-out. Contact us today by calling (718) 768-7277 or filling out our online form.

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Keeping larger buildings cool during the scorching summer months can be challenging, especially in older buildings. Summer heat always makes your HVAC system work harder, and we’re projected to break heat records over the next few years. Since July is Air Conditioner Appreciation Month, though it officially lasts from July 3 through August 15, now is a good time to assess your building’s windows and ways to reduce their impact on its internal environment.

Do Windows Affect Air Conditioning?

They certainly do, and in a number of ways. Windows allow heat to enter and exit your building relatively unimpeded and can account for up to 10% of the total heat lost. This is why structures that include modern glass facades put such a higher caseload on their HVACs and attendant power bills. Glass facades and HVAC make for a visually appealing but expensive proposition.

The primary reason for this effect is called thermal bridging, which is the term for how heat moves across a material that conducts heat better than the surrounding materials. If you have ever noticed a cold spot on a wall or window, often identified by visible condensation, you are seeing this process in action. Thermal bridging most often occurs on windows when they are framed with a material that conducts temperature easily. For instance, glazed windows can only be so helpful when they are framed with aluminum which conducts heat out of your structure.

With new construction, it is best to remember this process during the design process. Consider triple glazing on the windows and frame them with low-conductivity materials. When possible, place windows so that they allow maximum light and heat during the winter and minimize heat loss through glass the rest of the year.

How Much Can Windows Affect Heating and Cooling?

Windows are one of the primary paths through which heat can enter and leave your building, and not just because of thermal bridging. The summer sunshine pouring in through the windows can generate a massive spike in your HVAC system workload and energy bills. Likewise, during the cold of winter, heat escapes through the glass in the reverse of that process.

If your building has residents or staff that leave the windows open, this can also have several serious effects. Besides allowing hot air in and making your system work harder, doing so also puts you at risk of desensitizing your thermostat, which can cause it not to recognize proper start and shut-off temperatures.

Future HVAC Advancements

Since windows are such a significant factor in green construction, there is extensive research attempting to mitigate their downsides without eliminating them. Some of the promising areas currently yielding measurable results include: 

  • Thermochromic microparticles that react to temperature conditions, blocking up to 70% of the sunlight entering.
  • High transparency silica gel placed between windowpanes, increasing insulation by 50%.

In the meantime, while we wait for new technologies to mature, it is well worth considering an evaluation of your HVAC and related systems, including the windows.

Henick-Lane, New York’s HVAC Experts

For more than six decades our talented, hardworking technicians have provided premiere service to the New York City area. Whether it’s new construction or a high-rise building, our LEED-accredited team can provide the assessments and services you need. Call us at (718) 768-7277, contact us online, or email info@henick-lane.com for a consultation or quote.

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Thursday, June 22, is National HVAC Tech Day, an observance that began in 2016 to recognize HVAC technicians and to educate the public on what it takes to work in this challenging but rewarding field. Henick-Lane is proud of our outstanding techs, who are often the face of our company and who install, maintain, and repair the quality equipment for which we’re known.

What Do HVAC Techs Do?

HVAC technicians are professional tradespeople who specialize in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, hence the HVAC acronym. They install, test, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain these crucial systems. Some may also engage in client-facing tasks like equipment sales or working with clients to design systems for new builds or retrofits. Some techs have advanced training and further specialize in specific areas like commercial systems, air purification, refrigeration, or green energy.

Henick-Lane’s HVAC technicians are experienced with all phases of commercial HVAC:

  • Installation
  • Testing
  • Troubleshooting
  • Maintenance
  • Repair
  • And more

They are also LEED accredited to meet the emerging changes green energy and energy conservation are bringing to the HVAC field. All of our techs are proud union members of Local 638B (metal trades branch) so you can be confident they have the best training available. Our clients include financial institutions, medical facilities, educational and cultural institutions, and many more, so our techs can work in various settings and in all kinds of conditions.

What Are the Basic HVAC Skills?

There are several paths to becoming an HVAC technician. Techs may learn through technical or trade schools, apprenticeships, and/or on-the-job training. Many HVAC techs have attained at least a two-year degree in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration, and some even have four-year degrees.

At Henick-Lane, our techs are well-trained and highly experienced professionals. Their deep knowledge of commercial HVAC and their outstanding soft skills help them go the extra mile to give clients quality service and maintain the high standards we require.

Our techs must have excellent math and computer skills. High-end HVAC work requires precise calculations and navigating dozens of HVAC, horsepower, and electrical formulas. They also need problem-solving abilities to figure out how to achieve objectives, communication skills to understand and address clients’ needs, and time management skills to juggle multiple tasks and projects.

Being an HVAC tech is a physically demanding profession. Techs must have the physical strength to lift heavy objects and the manual dexterity to use a wide variety of tools. They also spend a lot of time working in small, dark, or dirty spaces, and in all kinds of weather and temperature conditions, from blistering summer heat to icy winter cold. 

Henick-Lane Salutes our Hardworking HVAC Techs

We hope you will join Henick-Lane in saluting our talented, hardworking techs who have helped us provide premiere HVAC services in and around New York City for nearly 60 years. Call us at (718) 768-7277, contact us online, or email info@henick-lane.com for a consultation or quote.

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May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, which means it is a good time to check up on your building’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). This is especially true if you have people in your building who suffer from asthma or other respiratory ailments. As the temperatures begin to rise, it is worth examining whether there is a link between extreme heat and indoor air quality.

Does Air Quality Get Worse with Heat?

Heat waves and high temperatures, especially when partnered with still and stagnant air, most definitely cause a decrease in air quality. Pollutants in this highly heated atmosphere combine with airborne nitrogen oxide emissions to create smog, a cooked-down blend of ozone and airborne pollutants.

Smog is far from the only culprit. Hotter weather means more plants in bloom and more pollen in the air. It also means a much more conducive environment for mold and mildew growth. That means extra biological contaminants in the air. All of these are factors that can cause a degradation of indoor air quality.

Does the Weather Affect Indoor Air Quality?

Heat is established as making outdoor air quality worse, but what effect does that have on the air in your buildings? The higher the concentration of contaminants in the outside air, the more of them will find their way into your building. At this time of year and over the summer, it is essential to make sure that your HVAC filtration systems are fully maintained and able to handle the increased load.

In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes the increasing frequency of wildfires and other extreme weather events, which, among other things, can cause overloaded systems, power outages, and massive spikes in airborne particulates. As these events increase in frequency and severity, being prepared for them will be vital.

Can Indoor Thermal Conditions Affect IAQ?

As temperatures rise, humidity usually increases with them. Biological contaminants such as mold, mildew, bacteria, and viruses tend to be incubators causing diminished indoor air quality as they and their spores enter the air. Issues with temperature control are a commonly encountered cause of poor IAQ in commercial buildings.

When Should You Worry About Indoor Air Quality?

You should be wary of the following symptoms among your building’s occupants: headaches, increased fatigue, nasal congestion, dizziness, dizzy spells, nausea, or irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. In some more extreme cases, the breathable contaminants can even cause respiratory illness or cancer. Unfortunately, these are common symptoms for a wide variety of ailments, which can make identifying air quality-based reactions significantly harder.

Concerned About Your Building’s Air Quality? Contact Henick-Lane

For more than five decades, Henick-Lane has earned a reputation as expert in commercial HVAC services and providing IAQ solutions. Call our expert staff today at (718) 786-7277 or contact us online and schedule an indoor air quality assessment.

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One of the first signs that the indoor air quality (IAQ) of a building is deteriorating is often the presence of unwanted odors. When detected, the immediate course of action is to track down the source and rectify whatever issue is causing it. Sometimes that cause is organic, with mold and mildew being frequent culprits. Other times it might be chemicals getting into the HVAC system.

Can HVAC Systems Cause Smells?

Sadly, HVAC systems can cause odors. There are a wide array of possible commercial HVAC odors and an equally wide array of sources. Some of the most common smells include:

  • Burning smells
  • Rotting egg-like odors
  • Varieties of chemical smells
  • Musty scents

It is also worth noting that the sources of these smells can have varying degrees of toxicity, some of them representing serious health hazards. For instance, the smell of rotten eggs usually means a natural gas leak is getting into the air system, which can be fatal.

What Does an HVAC Leak Smell Like?

A few particular odors should raise alarm bells due to their potential health impacts. The scent of antifreeze, ether, chloroform, paint thinner or sweet-seeming scents can indicate refrigerant leaks. You should contact us immediately to investigate, as this type of leak is not only an environmental hazard but also a health hazard for the people exposed to it.

Since, in many instances, the cause of chemical smells from commercial HVAC systems is most often a refrigerant leak, a complete cooling system inspection can usually track down the source. Henick-Lane, Inc. has over five decades of experience identifying and remedying odors from commercial HVAC systems.

Can Mold Smell Like Chemicals?

During the life cycle of a mold, it produces a variety of gasses referred to as MVOCs, microbial volatile organic compounds. Different MVOCs are emitted at various stages of that life cycle, each putting different odors into the air. Some of these scents can smell like chemicals. Benzene for instance is an MVOC.

How Do You Get the Smell Out of an HVAC System?

There are a number of measures you can take to eliminate odors, but serious issues require professional HVAC maintenance. That said, the following tactics undertaken regularly can help eliminate them and prevent their return.

  • Changing Air Filters

Air filters in AC systems should be changed once every one to three months, depending on how much build-up is caused or how often it’s used. With consistent air filter replacement, you can help extend the life of your cooling system.

  • Cleaning Air Ducts

Cleaning your ducts is also helpful, as debris, dust, mold, and mildew can build up. This is often the cause of that “burning smell” when the heat is fired up for the first time in the fall. Mold and mildew can also grow among the debris.

  • General On-going Maintenance

Regular ongoing maintenance, like checking for leaks, cleaning coils, etc., are the most essential ways to avoid these problems before they become serious. It will also curtail the likelihood of odor problems developing.

Henick-Lane’s IAQ Testing and Commercial HVAC Solutions

At Henick-Lane, Inc., we have spent more than five and half decades of industry experience working with every aspect of commercial HVAC systems. If your indoor air quality is troubling you, contact us online or call (718) 768-7277 now for an indoor air quality assessment. We will work with you to tailor the optimal solution for your building and help you breathe easy once more.

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When constructing a new building, your decisions about the interior layout and facilities are a crucial part of the planning process. This means prepping the “core and shell” of a commercial building to get it ready for tenant occupancy and customization for their business.

What Is Fit-Out Construction?

Law Insider defines fit-out construction as “any fit-out works or improvements in or to Premises leased to a Tenant under a Lease” and applies to everything from high-rise apartment buildings to corporate office buildings.

What Is a Tenant Fit-Out?

A tenant fit-out is the process of preparing the interior of a building for use and occupation. This usually means starting off with the building’s exterior shell and building the interior areas. Conference rooms, data centers, apartments, and even bathrooms are part of the fit-out process.

Tenant fit-outs can sometimes be confused with decor, but when it comes to fit-out vs. interior design, the difference is massive. A fit-out is concerned with creating the layout and functional aspects of the interior spaces, ensuring the proper facilities for the tenants or occupants.

Interior design is oriented toward furniture and decor and is usually a matter of personal tastes. A fit-out involves the design and installation of elements, including the electrical system, plumbing, HVAC, as well as the design of offices, apartments, and break rooms, among other special-purpose rooms or facilities.

How to Plan for a Fit-Out

Before actual construction occurs, a number of things can be done to ensure that the process is as smooth and efficient, not to mention cost-effective, as possible.

  1. Examine your contracts – Many standard contracts do not include language addressing the practicalities, risks, insurance obligations, or other responsibilities involved in the process.
  2. Plan for delays – Sometimes delays are unavoidable, and it pays to plan for losses or liabilities in advance as a precautionary measure.
  3. Specify – Define the scope of work clearly in advance. Be specific about what will and will not constitute fit-out work in order to provide clear guidelines and alleviate any confusion during the process or billing.
  4. Prepare your employees or residents – On some occasions, usually Category B Office Fit-Outs, you may have some staff present during the work. We address this situation and provide management tips in a prior post.

Contact The Fit-Out Experts at Henick-Lane

As experts with more than five decades of HVAC experience, Henick-Lane can provide cost-effective and practical solutions for your new space. We offer full tenant fit-out project management services. Get started by calling us today at (718) 786-7277 or contacting us online.